EVEN for a leading member of the royal household, life has its ups and downs.

And as he celebrates his 80th birthday, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, acknowledges that he has had his share.

Considered arrogant, tough and off-hand by some, he is regarded by others as witty and charming.

Forceful and controversial he certainly is - his bad-tempered outbursts are legendary.

But Philip has devoted a lifetime's service to the nation and the Commonwealth, winning thousands of fans with his no-nonsense style.

Tomorrow he will celebrate at Windsor Castle, but during the past 50 years his tireless dedication has brought him north to Manchester and its surrounds on dozens of occasions.

Many were in his capacity as chancellor of the University of Salford, others to check on the progress of some of the thousands of youngsters who have been involved in his awards scheme over the years.

He has conferred numerous degrees on students at Salford and is due back again on July 23.

He has touched the lives of ordinary people, charming thousands who have waited in often-cold and wet conditions to catch a glimpse of the prince.

His visits have sometimes caught organisers on the hop. Such as the occasion an SOS was sent out for a six and a half foot bed to be specially manufactured within 24 hours so that he could spend the night in royal comfort at university halls of residence in Salford.

And when he opened Manchester Airport's new terminal, a waiter was sent hurrying for a jug of real ale from the bar after Philip turned his nose up at wines on offer.

He has never been afraid to speak his mind - even to those who have gone out of their way to display their loyalty to the Crown.

Staunch patriot William Souter was one victim. Dressed in a Union Jack apron and waving the flag he chased the duke as he arrived for an engagement at Salford University.

And on being told the bearer was proud of it, he admonished him, saying: ''There is no need to go to extremes.''

Among his other famous gaffes are:

''Everybody was saying we must have more leisure. Now they are complaining they are unemployed'' - during the 1981 recession.

''How do you keep the natives off the booze long enough to get them through the test?'' - to a driving instructor in Oban, Scotland, during a walkabout.

Prince Philip was last in the area when he visited the BAe Systems site at Woodford in November to inspect the company's latest projects including the early warning aircraft Nimrod MRA4.